| Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be | | | | Yellowstone than the rest of the world combined. |
| over in Yellowstone National Park. If you are | | | | There are over 15 miles of boardwalk for visitors |
| interested in enjoying one of the world's most | | | | to keep them safe from the dangerous thermal |
| unique geological wonders without the traffic, and | | | | sites, and to minimize the inevitable human |
| crowds, it is time to start planning a trip. | | | | damage caused to the area. The park is a |
| Fall in Yellowstone is a very special time with light | | | | singularly impressive place and most of it resides |
| frosts on chilly nights, and pleasant warm days | | | | above 7,500 feet elevation. |
| where you can breathe in the earthy scents of | | | | Wildlife viewing is superb to say the least with |
| the Park. Bugling Elk, roaming herds of Buffalo, | | | | buffalo, elk, and black-tail deer sightings a common |
| and lazy days spent touring the spectacular | | | | occurrence. Moose, bear, coyote, and wolves are |
| thermal features make fall one of the best times | | | | spotted less frequently. We enjoyed filming a |
| to visit Yellowstone. | | | | giant moose scraping the felt from his antlers late |
| Normally, you have to make a reservation at one | | | | one evening near the south entrance of |
| of the five major campgrounds well in advance of | | | | Yellowstone. |
| arrival. After Labor Day you probably will not | | | | Hiking, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, and touring |
| need a reservation, but it is wise to call ahead. | | | | the spectacular thermal features are a few of the |
| There are five major reservation only | | | | many things to enjoy in Yellowstone. The beauty |
| campgrounds: Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge | | | | of the landscape is breathtaking and the clean |
| RV Park, Grant Village, and Madison campgrounds. | | | | smell of sage permeates the clear air. |
| The first-come, first served campgrounds will be | | | | One of the unadvertised features of Yellowstone |
| far more accessible after Labor Day and include: | | | | is the night sky. A few of us old-timers |
| Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, | | | | remember the rich texture of the night sky from |
| Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Fall | | | | our youth. Reflected light effectively blocks clear |
| campsites. | | | | viewing of the night sky in much of the United |
| While in Yellowstone National Park, you will be | | | | States, but at night in Yellowstone, the stars are |
| inside the caldera of the largest active volcano in | | | | displayed in their full majesty in the rich, dark sky. |
| the world. There are more thermal features in | | | | |